[HydroGlide]

ok, so I was listening to a NPR All Songs Considered podcast on the train this morning (a good one) and Boilen played a Big Star song.  Sounded real good and I am quite surprised at myself to have missed the Big Star boat all these years.  I want to catch up and would appreciate any Big Star song or album recommendations from the music lovers on here and maybe someone can explain why they  really flew under the radar (Bolilen mentioned distribution problems or something)?

[HydroGlide]

ps: I read the wiki explanation and understand that the band did drugs and beat each other (and their respective instruments) up - but that was kind of par for the course back then and didn't stop other bands from getting played (especially bands containing guys with hit records from earlier bands like the Boxtops).

[Harry Balzsac]

Crackie can fill you in on all the details, he's a big fan. 
 
All I can say is that I'm kind of surprised you missed the boat on these guys because the totally fuckin' rule.  Get the reissue of the first two Stax albums,
#1 Record/Radio City.  It has everything you'll want and I bet you ten bucks you won't be able to get it out of your head for a week.  I go through jags where I'll listen to it for weeks at a time, its that good.

[HydroGlide]

thanks for the help man - I thought it was somebody on here that talked about Big Star but when discusse dI probably dismissed as Mr. Big or something.  I'm going to pick up those reissues Bubba - I'm curious to see if I actually know a tune or two but never knew the artist.  i also really dug this song called Glitches and Bugs by Shortwave Set on the same podcast - check it here for free:
 
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=105107290

[Crackie "Bottle" Onassis]

First two records on 1 cd for about the same dough. More hits than you can handle.

There's Third/Sister's Lovers. Some like it, some don't. I've listened to it two or three times and its just not my thing. Also check out the Chris Bell solo record "I am the Cosmos" on Rykodisk is really good and shouldn't be overlooked.

[Team Box]

Another Big Star fan here.   Capturing a British Invasion sound in the soul capital of the US, hows Stax  to distribute that? Kinda out of place and Stax completely blew it. Columbia eventually took them on and couldn't deal with the distribution (more like they refused to distribute, some Stax-Columbia issues) add the bands internal issues by the 3rd album. Then They just slipped threw the cracks. Oh and a dead guitarist. Does that answer your question?
There's a box set coming out later this summer, spans like 7? years. Grabbing it for sure.


Shortwave Set are ok...When I hear that Shortwave Set track I know its Danger Mouse producing it and I hear the Gorillaz style (and not even the totally awesome first Gorillaz album but the second one which I really really didn't want to come out. Gorillaz shoulda left themselves at one album. Sidenote, I can say for fact that Damon Albarn is a twat. I've had to deal with him more than once, each time less pleasant than the next)  production but I want the Grey Album which I completely love. Anyways, that Shortwave album has a few interesting but overly familiar layers to it. More personally, I find that album to be like catching up with an old flame and having really playful sex (perhaps once that night, once in the morning) and then not bothering to update our phone numbers cuz I really couldn't care enough if we'd meet up again or not. That's how I feel about Shortwave Set. Good for a couple reliable romps with something familiar but yawn- ready to move on to something new.


Did you like the Hopewell song? I just started listening to them 3 months ago. I'm certain I like them. Teepee Records, good stuff.

[HydroGlide]

First two records on 1 cd for about the same dough. More hits than you can handle.

There's Third/Sister's Lovers. Some like it, some don't. I've listened to it two or three times and its just not my thing. Also check out the Chris Bell solo record "I am the Cosmos" on Rykodisk is really good and shouldn't be overlooked.

thanks for the help Crackie - agreed I picked up the first 2 at J&R on my way home Friday, pleased it was on 1 cd for 1 cd price - good stuff. I'll try to track down that I am the Cosmos Cd too

[HydroGlide]

Another Big Star fan here.   Capturing a British Invasion sound in the soul capital of the US, hows Stax  to distribute that? Kinda out of place and Stax completely blew it. Columbia eventually took them on and couldn't deal with the distribution (more like they refused to distribute, some Stax-Columbia issues) add the bands internal issues by the 3rd album. Then They just slipped threw the cracks. Oh and a dead guitarist. Does that answer your question?
There's a box set coming out later this summer, spans like 7? years. Grabbing it for sure.

 

thanks for the help Allison, That helps answer the question but i should probably flesh out my original question more - I am not just surprised but kind of shocked that I missed big Star from the start in the 70's.  I guess people not being able to buy the record anywhere was a huge part but I'm still surprised that the wnew crew in NY (Scot Muni, Vin Scelsa/Pete Fornatale (now WFUVers in the Bronx) never played them regularly on the radio anyway (it's not like they were underground type college radio sounding).  I'm thinking that if they never toured, that maybe they couldn't get radio time? I dunno but never touring would explain why I never saw them either. I think being too dysfunctional to even climb on stage together in a NYC club once or twice could explain alot.

 
 

Shortwave Set are ok...When I hear that Shortwave Set track I know its Danger Mouse producing it and I hear the Gorillaz style (and not even the totally awesome first Gorillaz album but the second one which I really really didn't want to come out. Gorillaz shoulda left themselves at one album. Sidenote, I can say for fact that Damon Albarn is a twat. I've had to deal with him more than once, each time less pleasant than the next)  production but I want the Grey Album which I completely love. Anyways, that Shortwave album has a few interesting but overly familiar layers to it. More personally, I find that album to be like catching up with an old flame and having really playful sex (perhaps once that night, once in the morning) and then not bothering to update our phone numbers cuz I really couldn't care enough if we'd meet up again or not. That's how I feel about Shortwave Set. Good for a couple reliable romps with something familiar but yawn- ready to move on to something new.
 
 

ha good feedback.  I'm thinking song by song these days as compared to albums and the Glitches and Bugs tune really popped out and grabbed me right away - kind of like a New Pornagraphers, Myriad Harbor meets Flaming Lips' Yoshimi but not in a mimmicing way.  I'ma sucker for clever articulate lyrics thrown over a non-techno dance hook but I can't speak for the rest of the album.



Did you like the Hopewell song? I just started listening to them 3 months ago. I'm certain I like them. Teepee Records, good stuff.

 
 

Yes, I liked it but it didn't pop out at me at all.  It opened like Adam Ant's Ant Music (yes me and my friends fell for that Ant-Indian schtick when he first came out and caught the act at The old classic Calderone Concert Hall in Hempstead LI) meets Jane's Addiction - good but done before.

[Crackie "Bottle" Onassis]

As the label of Otis Redding, I will not allow any criticism of Stax of any kind no matter how accurate it may be.

Stax is always right!

[Team Box]

Totally forgot about this thread!




No disrespect to Otis or Stax


Oh man I am soooo listening to Booker T while gardening this afternoon. Hammonds make me melt in the knees!

[Crackie "Bottle" Onassis]

Perhaps the greatest thing ever caught on video.

I give you Sam & Dave backed by Booker T & the MGs.

Sam and Dave - Hold On... [Stax Volt - Norway 1967] HQ

[Harry Balzsac]

Jesus.  That gave me chills.  Can you imagine what a revelation that was to some kid in Norway in 1967?  Just amazing.  Thanks for that. 

Check this Aurthur Conley "Sweet Soul Music" from the same show. 

Arthur Conley - Sweet Soul Music [Stax Volt - Norway 1967] HQ

[Crackie "Bottle" Onassis]

I don't care how many Brooce, Dead, Allman, Black Flag, Bad Brains or whatever shows anyone saw.

Stax Revue Europe 67 trumps em all.

[obfuscations]

 claim attendance @ zaire '74 thats equal mon

[Team Box]

I don't care how many Brooce, Dead, Allman, Black Flag, Bad Brains or whatever shows anyone saw.

Stax Revue Europe 67 trumps em all.

I love you!